U.S. residents what does the federal government do that makes your life better?

Inspects my food for safety. Used to limit toxic water disposal onto farmland, but now they don't and we are having toxic food issues (lettuce, etc.) Informs me when there is a health problem with food (they were the ones who let us know the lettuce wasn't safe to eat.) Certifies that my drugs are safe, and helps to limit the spread of useless quack medicines.

Hurts down dangerous people and throws them out of the country (actually dangerous people, not starving farmers.) Maintains border security. Enforces international law. Generally keeps me safe(er) from scumbags.

Maintains our National Parks, which I use. Enforces environmental regulations, which keep my air, water and even dirt safe. Maintains and regulated Air Traffic Controllers, so planes don't fall off the runway or collide in the sky and kill me.

Maintain diplomatic relations with other countries, minimizing the chance that war will break out. Also, I feel safer knowing that, if one of my co-workers needs help while in a different country, they can get it at a US Embassy.

Maintains our military, which is bigger than it needs to be, but is still hella useful. Takes care of wounded veterans, including my nephew. Educates veterans, which I hope my nephew will use once he's better.

Funds research in everything from computers to medicine to... well, it's a long list. Several of my friends are employed by research-funded by federal grants, and the work they do has had life-enhancing consequences for many, many people.

I'm sure there is more, but that's just what I can think of at the moment. I hope McConnell stops being a jerk soon. My nephew needs to go back into the hospital.

An entity does not have to be wielding a shovel and bucket of asphalt, or to be the sole worker, to be the one responsible for the care of a thing or system.

My nephew is in and out of the hospital following an extended course of treatment. He's scheduled back for another operation in less than a month. Hope he gets to have it.

I have observed that Conservatives usually use this same course of "logic". They misconstrue statements based on the kind of dodgy shit they do themselves, then the claim that Progressives are lying. I never claimed that the feds were the sole source of interstate road repair, or that my nephew was thrown out of the hospital. You made that up so you could pretend to be outraged.

I do enjoy the new and useful technology that has come into existence thanks to the contributions of NASA, like a handheld computer I can carry around with me in my pocket, capable of communicating with people all over the world in an instant from just about anywhere.

Also the worldwide communications platform which we all use in our daily lives to exchange ideas and thoughts thanks to the military.

I enjoy being able to navigate down an unfamiliar highway in realtime to get to a destination I've never seen before.

There are many many countries around the world who "do things" for their people. Read up a little bit. Especially on the countries in Europe.

And, in fact, I DID move to another country from the US and the government here takes pretty good care of the people. Not perfect, of course, but no one is starving, the economy is thriving, the President is not a crazy idiot and there is universal health care so no one need fear losing their home or having to do a GoFundMe to cover medical expenses. "Good riddance!" you would probably answer. And I would reply, "Thank goodness I live here!" I am thankful every day for the opportunity to live in this great country and thankful every day that I no longer live in the US. Living in the US is fine and great for many people, it's just not for me. If you love it there, good on you. But you don't have to disparage other countries.

I'm an avid hiker, and the National Parks Service (and their counterparts maintaining the National Forests) are responsible for preserving and maintaining the parks all across the country. The beauty of Yosemite and Yellowstone are famous for good reason. The tireless preservation efforts by the Park Service has kept those gems intact despite pressure from developers, many tourists, climate change, and other hazards. It pains me to see the photographs of overflowing toilets, damaged Joshua trees, and other idiotic behaviour of fellow visitors who fail to appreciate these natural gems for what they are. One person taking a rock or stepping off the path isn't a big problem, they think. Multiply that by tens or hundreds of thousands, and the damage can be incalculable.

The Forest Service has likewise done an amazing job, especially in the Pacific Northwest. I've had a chance to travel extensively through Washington State, especially in the Olympic and Cascade Ranges, and I am forever grateful to the kind Forest Service employees. They've offered tips, stories, once helped with a flat tire, and are doing a job to preserve a sliver of woodland for future generations.

Well, I'll go ahead and give an honest answer. Federal Government (USDA) allowed me to obtain a Rural Development loan, aka no money down 100% financed loan with a low interest rate to buy a house in what the USA considers "rural." I am a 15-minute drive from a 250,000 person urban area with modest traffic. Hardly what I would consider rural. Its all based upon zoning in a particular state, so your results may vary.

A bit more about the loan: Everything gets financed, even the closing costs. There is a $1000 a year fee to keep the loan that helps pay for others to get the loan, but its lumped into my escrow so it's not like I get a traditional bill for it. You also can't make more than ~$70k a year at the time of getting the loan (might vary per state).

Long story short, it would have taken my family a much longer time to get a house if it wasn't for this loan. We used money saved on a down payment to buy furniture and improvements.

I would say its not easy money? The program is designed as an incentive to expand and develop rural environments, normally places where people don't want to live. Eventually, those areas are built up enough where they won't be considered rural anymore and thus no loan will be given. 5-10 years from now, its highly unlikely my address will be considered rural as the zoning line is only a few miles away.

As for the housing market in my area its a boon. There are brand new houses to buy, always new ones coming up, and the costs are lower because you're in a rural environment. For example, my house is about $180,000. If I go north for three miles that same house would be $215,000 just because of location.

There are salary caps on how much you can make to secure this type of loan. Most use it as a first home purchase and are low to mid middle class making $40-70k a year. I also live in a southern state where that's a good living and there's plenty of rural land. You also need good Credit. They won't give you the loan if you have no credit or if your score is in the dumps. These loans are given to responsible people. Its not a meal ticket or a quick way to get a house.

We need laws and regulations to ensure corporations do not place profit over the environment, workers rights, and well-being of their customers. (EPA, OSHA, FDA, CPB, FTC) ( B and trending down - other than Climate Change which is an F)

We need an education system that is uniform so a HS degree from CA is similar to one from TX - and the students are not indoctrinated to the anti-scientific religious beliefs of the local school board nut-job - and our work force can make sure our businesses can compete on the global scale. (B- & trending down HARD)

We need roads and safe infrastructure to allow the individuals to safely travel and businesses to conduct commerce. ( B )

We need a process to provide for the common good and welfare of the people. ( C & Trending down)

It is not the federal governments role to make our lives better, its role is to ensure we can make our lives better, and if we can't that we are not an undue burden on society as a whole.